Device for indicating temperature conditions



March 5, 1929. A. w. FRANKLIN 1,704,244

DEVICE FOR INDICATING TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS Filed Aug. 1928 avwembczPatented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES ALBERT W. FRANKLIN, OF NEW YORK, N.

DEVICE FOR INDICATING TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS Application med August a,1928. sci-m ms. 298,228.

This invention relates in general to a device for indicating temperatureconditions which is particularly adaptable for use on automobileradiators.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device forindicating temperature conditions of the above nature which isexceedingly simple in construction and which is rigidly constructed fordependable operation.

A still further object of this lnventlon is to provide a device forindicating temperature conditions in automobile radiators which isentirely embodied within the rad1 'ator cap without projecting above orbelow the limiting planes which define the top and bottom of theradiator cap.

A still further object of this inventlon 1s to provide a device of thisnature which has an indicator operated by a bi-metal element. A stillfurther object of this invent on contemplates a device of this naturewhich being exceedingly simple in construction, 1s adapted to readmanufacturein large quantities at a very ow cost. 7

These and other objects as will appear from the following disclosure aresought by means of this invention.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction,arrangement and relative location of parts all as will appear more fullyhereinafter.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device.Fig. 2 is an edge elevational view of the structure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device with the enclosing platepartially broken away to show the interior thereof.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional VlGW' taken onthe line 4- -4 of 2.

Devices employed heretofore in this art for indicating temperatureconditions in automobile radiators have been termed motolneters. Indevices of this nature now available, it has been the practice tosupport the structure on the radiator cap with portions thereofprojecting above and below the upper and lower surfaces of the cap.

The portion projecting below the cap extended into the radiator so as tobe subjected to the temperature conditions therein, while the portionextending above the cap gave a visible indication of these temperatureconditions. Such a device is not only installed from adecorative viewpoint but is also in the nature of its construction subject to injuryand breakage. At the same time, such devices are relatively expensive tomake.

The device of this invention is of such a simple nature as to make itcheap to m'anufacture. tion neat in appearance and tends to improvethe'app'earance of cars to which it is a plied. The most importantfeature of t e invention is the fact that all the operative elementsthereof are enclosed within the radiator cap so that there are noprojections above and-below the cap. These parts are sealed within thecapso that no moisture may get at them and as a result there is notendency for the device to get out of order, because of corrosion andthe like. In the device the essential parts consist of an indicatorcontrolled by a bi-metal element which hasthe two functions of holdingthe indicator innon-indicating position under normal temperatureconditions and moving the indicator into indicating osition .upon thedevelopment. of abnormal temperature conditions.

Reference is now made tothe drawings in which the device is showncomprising a relatively flat cup shape radiator cap 1, provided with anarcuate opening 2. Thls opening is covered with any suitable transparentmaterial 3 through which the indicator device may be used. A ortion ofthe cap 1 is internally threaded be secured to the radiator in the usualandv well known manner.

A plate 5 is-used to provide a closed chamber 6 in cooperation with thecup shape portion of the cap and is held in place by means of screws.The operative parts of the device are held within the chamber thusformed which chamber is completely closed by reaas at 4 so that it mayIt is also by reason of its construcson of the air tight connectionbetween the cap and the plate." Secured to the plate 5 so as to bewithin chamber 6 is a short post 7 on which is mounted a bi-metalelement 8. As is well known, the bi-metal element mere- 1y consistsoftwo metals of different temperature coefficient-s rigidly securedtogether so that they distort when heated due to the unequal expansionof the different metals. The bi-metal element 8 is provided with threeU-shape portions 15, 16 and 17 for the purpose of magnifying the effectof the distortion of the bi-metal element, and to to: duce a springaction as will be described later pivotal y mounted on the plate 10which is secured to plate 5, is an arm 11 having an arcuate portionextending at an angle thereto as shown at 12. These parts are arrangedso that as arm 11 swings in a counter clockwise direction, Fig. 3, theindicator portion 12 moves in front of window 2 an amount depending uponthe temperatureconditions eing registered. The surface of the indicator12 which appears through the opening 2 may be painted in the arm 11 isagainst pin 13 the indicator h 12 is wholly exposed through the openingand indicates abnormal or dangerous temperature conditions.

It is of course apparent that the device ma be callibrated so thatdangerous conditions are indicated before the indicator 12 is whollyexposed as for instance when it is only one-half exposed. Besides havinthe function of controlling the movement 0 arm 11 and indicator 12 undervar ing temperature conditions, the bi-metal e ement 11 also operates tohold the arm 11 against stop pin 14 under low temperature conditions ornonindicating position.

From the foregoing disclosure it will be apparent that this device isexceedin ly novel and embodies valuable and practica le principles ofoperation and construction.

I am well aware that many changes in the details of construction andrelative arrangement of parts will readily occur to those skilled inthis art and I do not therefore desire tobe particularly limited to thefeatures of construction as set forth for purposes of illustration butrather to the principles of construction and, operation as set forth inthe appended claims.

I wish to point out that although this device has been disclosed asapplied to an automobile radiator, it is of course'apparent that it isapplicable to any mechanism subjected to temperature changes in which itis desired to have an indication thereof.

What I seek to secure by United States Letters Patent is: a

1. In a radiator cap ofthe type described the combination comprising acup shaped member, a detachable wall therefor to provide a closedchamber,-said cup shape member having an opening therein which is closedby a transparent element, an indi-- cator within said chamber and meanswithin the chamber and connected to the indicator element for moving itunder changes in temperature sons to render it more or less visiblethrough. said opening dependent upon temperature conditions.

2. In a radiator cap-of the type described, a fiat container having anopening therein covered by a transparent element, a mov able indicatorelement within the container, heat influenced means connected to saidmovable indicator element for rendering it more or less visible throughsaid opening dependingu n the temperature conditions to which t e heatinfluenced element is subjected, said indicator element and said heatinfluenced means lying wholly within said flat container. I i

3. In a'radiator cap of the type described, the combination comprising aflat container having an opening therein, said container aving means forsecuring it to a radiator, an indicator arm mo'vably supported'withinthe container and a bi-lnetal member within the container andoperatively connected to said arm to move it into and out of alignmentwith said'opening under varying temperature conditions, to saidindicatorelement and bi-metal member lying wholly i within saidfiat container.

4. In a device of the type described, the combination comprising a flatradiator cap having an opening therein closed by a transparent wall, aremovable plate for forming a closed chamber with said cap, an armpivotally supported on said plate within said chamber so as to beadapted for movement into and, out of alignment with said opening and abi-metal element within said cap and operatively connected to said armfor changing its position with respect to said opening depending uponthe temperature conditions withinv the radiator to which the cap is tobe applied, said himetal element also acting to resiliently hold -sa1darm out of alignment with said opening under ordinary temperatureconditions, all of the operating parts lying entirely between the capand plate.

5. In a device of the type described, the combination with a fiatradiator cap having an opening therein and a plate detachably securedwithin said cap to form a closed chamber,of means within the chamber forgiving a visible indication through said opening of the temperatureconditions within the radiator to which a cap is to be applied, thevertical extent of the complete de- .-vice being' defined by the top yofthe radiator cap and the lower edgetherejof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 2nd day ofAugust, A. D.

ALBERT W. FRANKLIN.

